Notes & Quotes: USC-Furman

Notes and quotes from Wednesday's USC-Furman baseball game

Notes

Gamecocks got things started early, getting back-to-back homers from John Jones and Alex Destino to build a 3-0 lead over Furman. It was Jones’ team-leading fourth homerun. Destino’s home run cleared every fence built around Founders Park, as it landed next to the gameday shuttles.

The Paladins proved to be pesky tonight, using some key two out hitting and solid pitching to tie the game up in the top of the fourth and hang around for the rest of the night.

Starting pitching was rocky for both teams to start the game, as neither starter could last beyond the second inning. Each team used a bevy of pitchers to keep runs limited the rest of the way, however.

The Gamecocks set a Founders Park record with six stolen bases, including Dom Thompson-Williams’ team-leading sixth.

Reed Scott had the most innings pitched with three, allowing two hits and striking out one.

Paid attendance was 6,325.

LT Tolbert led the team with 11 putouts.

Furman outhit the Gamecocks 10 to seven. The Gamecocks left 10 on base.

Josh Reagan recorded his fourth save of the season, while Tyler Haswell was given the win.

The game had a very slow pace to start, taking nearly an hour and a half to complete the first three innings. Final six innings took another hour and a half.

Quotes

Reed Scott on whether last season’s loss to Furman motivated team this year: “It left a bad taste in our mouths…we aren’t going to take any game for granted this year.”

John Jones on having back-to-back homers with Destino: “There’s less pressure when you have him hitting behind you.”

Chad Holbrook said he felt “fortunate” to win after being out-hit, but said “there’s no such thing as a bad win.”

Chad Holbrook on the Gamecocks’ play: “You’re not going to play your best baseball for all 56 (games)”

Holbrook on Furman’s lefty Harry Norman: “We don’t see many pitchers like that in our league…soft-throwing lefties.”

Holbrook says pitchers Canaan Cropper and Colton Provey looked rusty due to limited action thus far this year but says they will get some work in.

Holbrook laughed after being informed of setting new Founders Park steals record for single game. “We almost had more steals than we did hits.”

Holbrook also says he will work with his team to speed things up. “I almost fell asleep out there.”

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